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Saturday, April 27, 2013

Feedback on the Boer-Afrikaner People’s Council (aka Volksraad) and their Claim to Self-determination was last presented by this blog on 6 December 2012, here. The previous posting made mention of a complaint lodged with the Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on 3 December 2012, following the ANC Government's failure to respond to written communication sent to them by the Volksraad.

The good news is - the SAHRC has finally responded with the following progress report:

Your complaint to the Commission dated 3rd December 2012 and bearing reference number GP/2012/0583/AM refers.

We have noted your requests for a progress update in your matter and extend our humble apologies for delay in providing formal communication of same sooner. The Commission can assure you however, that close consideration is being given to the complaint since its receipt.

The Commission in terms of its Complaints Handling Procedures as gazetted undertakes a process of assessment of all complaints on receipt. The process of assessment in complex matters is one which unfortunately does take some time as the Commission needs to fully satisfy itself of its assessment in such instances by considering a range of factors in its deliberations. This is attributable to the fact that complex matters are those which usually have significant impact on broader society. Based on such considerations, the Commission will decide whether it has jurisdiction to provide the relief sought; and if so the most appropriate process through which to achieve this outcome in the interests of rights protection. Decisions of the Commission are thereafter provided to complainants to ensure that, complainants understand the outcomes, and are directed to relief where available and appropriate on the facts of particular cases.

The central complaint before us in your complaint is that of self determination. The right to self determination is indeed one which is complex and nuanced not only in South Africa but globally. It is in this context that the Commission is consultation with its Commissioner, Danny Titus, who is a UN expert on the rights of indigenous peoples and has considerable insights on the right to self determination. In a formal meeting with the Commissioner on the 4th of April 2013, he provided valuable information including the wide diverse history and current practice of the Afrikaans language. A large body of UN based research has also been undertaken, including reference to two authoritative works on Afrikaners, one of which is by Prof. Hermann Giliomee.

This body of work and our report will on finalization be tabled before the Chairperson of the Commission and thereafter formally communicated to you.

I trust therefore that you are more assured of the attention being devoted to the complaint. We will provide you with feedback as we progress.

We thank you for your referral to the Commission and your cooperation herein.
Yours faithfully
_____________________
CHANTAL KISOON
PROVINCIAL MANAGER"

4
comments
:

Thank you Tia. But to be honest, do you think that the blak government will allow it? I am not negative about the request by Volksraad members, but about the people in government who must decide on this matter. I believe they, government, will not even consider such a request.

@whiteson I’ll be doing a follow-up posting on this issue soon. Rest assured though - the ANC’s apathy regarding this issue is going to backfire in their faces because over and above what the SA Constitution offers, there is also another relevant legal basis known as the “International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights” which also recognises the right of all peoples to self-determination. South Africa became party to this covenant on 3 Oct 1994 and officially signed the deal on 10 Dec 1998. They are thus legally committed to respect this right.

The ANC is being very cautious not to acknowledge the existence of a newly elected Volksraad. It is the main reason why they’re ignored all official correspondence thus far.

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